Here's why Android Wear has been removed from Google's online store

Don't worry - Android Wear isn't dead

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Google has had a big refresh this week revealing new devices such as the Pixel 2 and Google Home Mini, but Android Wear wasn't even mentioned in the announcement and now the section referring to Google smartwatches has been taken down from the Google Store.

Some Android Wear fans have panicked, thinking this has tolled the death knell of Google's smartwatch OS, but there's quite a simple explanation of why this has happened and it's to do with Google's new sales strategy.

Goodbye top watches

On Twitter, Android Wear and Google employee Hoi Lam explained that the company only wants to push "Google made hardware", but there aren't any home-grown Android Wear products at the moment, so there's nothing appropriate for Google to stock.

This matches with the "Made By Google" tagline and hashtag we saw at the event earlier this week. Google is instead pushing Android Wear products on retailer sites including Amazon and offline sources as well.

It is a sensible explanation, but seems unfortunate for those who really love the Android Wear platform and those who are looking for a smartwatch alongside their new Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL.